Johnny Cash remained active until the day he died, determined to finish his last record. In the weeks ahead, he was scheduled to return to Los Angeles to meet with producer Rick Rubin and choose from nearly 50 completed songs the material that would make up his fifth American Records album. Like the other installments in Cash’s American Records series, “American V” was to be a collection of covers and originals, the latter likely including some of the last songs Cash ever wrote, which deal with the loss of his longtime wife, June Carter Cash, who passed away in May. The album was scheduled for early 2004 release.
A separate, more substantial five-CD release is slated for release on American in December. Tentatively titled “Unearthed,” the boxed set consists of three discs of previously unreleased outtakes from the four previous Rubin-Cash sessions, including Cash duets with Nick Cave, Fiona Apple and Joe Strummer. Disc four is an acoustic gospel album titled “My Mother’s Hymn Book” that Cash recorded several years ago. A best-of survey spanning Cash’s American Records series rounds out disc five. At press time, it remains uncertain whether the box will be delayed or expanded, though with Cash’s death, anticipation and demand are certain to rise.
On Sept. 30, Legacy Records will release “Johnny Cash: Artist’s Choice: Music That Matters To Him,” a compilation of Cash’s favorite songs, including some by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Roberta Flack.